Classification

Why do I need a sight classification?

Sight classifications are important as they ensure a fair and equal competition. Success at competitions should be defined by an athlete’s skill and ability, not their impairment. The sight classifications should give all athletes the confidence that they are competing against others equally.

For visually impaired sports in the UK, participants are graded into five sight categories, these are:

B1: This category encompasses no light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognise shapes at any distance or in any direction.

B2 & B3: Both of these categories involve a low level of usable partial vision, those in the B3 category will be able to see more than those graded as B2. B3 is the highest category used for international & Paralympic sport.

B4: This is a good level of partial sight, the category is specific to sport in this country but is still included in the majority of sports. Anyone with more than roughly 25% of normal vision is likely to be too sighted for this category.

B5: This category used to be referred to as B4+, it has no top limit and is banned in almost all visually impaired sports, although at least two sports do allow it.